Report: U.S. Airlines Profit Margins Increased in Second Quarter

The largest scheduled passenger airlines reported a 6 percent profit margin in the second quarter, a slight increase from 2011, according to a report by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS).

“The nine largest airlines, based on passengers in the second quarter, achieved an operating profit margin - as a group - in each of the last five quarters. Together, they posted a profit of $2.3 billion with all of the large carriers reporting an operating profit,” said the BTS in a press release.

BTS said the top nine airlines carried 80 percent of total U.S. airlines’ scheduled service passengers in the second quarter.

Southwest Airlines reported $228 million in quarterly net income for the second quarter to lead all domestic carriers. They were trailed by Delta and United. The top nine carriers reported $670 million in net income for the second quarter.